THFC strengthens leadership team with two major hires

22 October 2024

The appointments align with THFC’s new strategic focus, to unlock innovative private capital and foster new partnerships

The Housing Finance Corporation (THFC) has today announced the appointment of two new members to its senior leadership team, marking the next phase of growth in its corporate strategy.

Ben Rick has been appointed as Chief Finance Officer (CFO) while Martin Fent will take on the role of Chief Risk and Operations Officer (CROO). Both will be key members of THFC’s senior leadership team and will report into CEO Priya Nair.

Ben will be responsible for THFC’s Finance, Treasury and Sustainability activities. He is currently Senior Adviser to Lloyds Bank, focused on its cross-group housing strategy and increasing lending to SME providers of social and supported housing.

Prior to that, Ben co-founded Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC) where he remains a non-executive board member. SASC is one of the UK’s leading social investment fund managers and works primarily in social and supported housing. He previously held senior roles at several investment banks and hedge funds, including Bank of America and UBS.

Martin is currently Chief Risk Officer at Cynergy Bank. Prior to that, he spent 15 years at NatWest Group, most recently as Chief Risk Officer for RBS International. Martin previously held several risk management roles spanning credit risk, conduct risk, portfolio management and restructuring.

In the newly created role, Martin will be responsible for THFC’s Risk Management, Operations, Governance, Compliance and Company Secretariat.

THFC recently launched its new strategy, centred on exploring innovative finance solutions to bolster the affordable housing sector. Broadening the product offering and adding value through new partnerships will be a key focus. As such, a partnership with the newly launched National Wealth Fund (NWF) has been agreed in principle and should be announced shortly. Additionally, the recent acquisition of Hargreaves Risk and Strategy will expand on existing capabilities. The appointments announced today will support further progress, building on THFC’s legacy as it moves into its next strategic phase.

Priya Nair, CEO at THFC, said “Ben and Martin bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise and will be instrumental in implementing THFC’s vision and strategy. THFC is committed to its core business of providing finance to housing associations. Our evolved mission will see us build on our heritage by utilising our skills and expertise in complementary and socially impactful ways.”

George Blunden, Chair of THFC, said “Ben and Martin will be key members of THFC’s senior leadership team and the board as we embark on the next phase of our corporate strategy, centred on growth and delivering new innovative financial solutions for the UK’s affordable housing sector.”

Commenting on his appointment Ben said: “We’re at a pivotal point for the housing sector, where funding and sustainability are front and centre of every conversation. I’m delighted to be joining THFC, and a team that will unlock new funding and partnership opportunities to drive growth and innovation.”

Martin adds: “THFC has a long-standing heritage in delivering for the UK housing sector. I’m excited to join the team and play my part in supporting the business, enhancing its operational effectiveness and the sector’s sustainable growth ambitions.”

Ben will start at THFC on 4 November, while Martin will commence his role in January 2025. Both appointees will become members of THFC’s board of directors.

Notes to editors:

THFC has been the UK’s leading affordable housing aggregator for more than three decades, providing innovative funding solutions for over 150 housing associations across all four nations of the UK. THFC has amassed a near £8bn loan book to date and continues to expand its range of financial products to serve the needs of the social housing sector. THFC has made significant contributions toward solving the UK’s affordable housing crisis, having funded 32,000+ homes under Affordable Housing Finance Plc, which oversaw the government’s initial Affordable Housing Guarantee Scheme. The aggregator launched bLEND Funding in 2018 and unveiled THFC Sustainable Finance (TSF), a sustainable finance vehicle, in 2023.

For investor inquiries:
Will Stevenson, Group Treasurer at THFC – Will.Stevenson@thfcorp.com

For media inquiries:
Annalyce Whittaker, Senior Account Manager at Social – Annalyce.Whittaker@social.co.uk